Method and apparatus for treating carbureted mixtures

ABSTRACT

A mixture of air, water vapor and droplets of fuel, such as a hydrocarbon type, is treated to assure complete combustion of the fuel to thereby minimize polluting emissions by passing the mixture between a number of oppositely charged elements in the treating chamber. Exposure to the field relaxes the surface tension of the fuel droplets to increase vaporization thereof, and physical contact of the mixture with heat exchange structure during fuel vaporization plus the effect of the field causes the wate vapor of the mixture to be drawn out of the mixture onto those elements which are positively charged. The positively charged elements are self-electrified, without the use of an outside power source, by constructing each from two separate materials in the triboelectric series and placing the same in intimate contact with one another. During passage of the mixture through the chamber, condensate which is drawn out of the mixture is caused to drain through the chamber in a course of travel separate from that of yet to be vaporized fuel droplets whereby the condensate is prevented from recombining with such droplets.

United States Patent [191 King 5] Apr. 23, 1974 METHOD AND APPARATUS FORTREATING CARBURETED MIXTURES [76] Inventor: Arthur Shelley King, 8021Cherokee Ln., Leawood, Kans. 66206 [22] Filed: July 5, 1973 [21] Appl.No.: 376,625

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.248,699, April 28,

1972, Pat. No. 3,761,062.

' [52] U.S. Cl 55/8, 55/103, 55/130,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,406,669 10/1968 Edwards55/145 3,493,109 2/1970 Carta et al. 55/103 2,974,747 3/1961 Coolidge,Jr. et a1. 55/154 2,978,066 4/1961 Nodalf 55/145 3,656,440 4/1972 Grey t55/145 1,333,836 3/1920 Csanyi.... 123/119 E 1,637,104 7/1927 Crone123/119 E 2,656,824 10/1953 Devaux 123/119 E 2,705,941 4/1955 Unschuld123/119 E 1,771,626 7/1930 Hamilton 55/103 Velkoff 123/119 E FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 820,415 9/1959 Great Britain 55/103 PrimaryExaminer-Tim R. Miles Attorney, Agent, or FirmSchmidt, Johnson, Hovey &Williams [5 7] ABSTRACT A mixture of air, water vapor and droplets offuel, such as a hydrocarbon type, is treated to assure completecombustion of the fuel to thereby minimize polluting emissions bypassing the mixture between a number of oppositely charged elements inthe treating chamber. Exposure to the field relaxes the surface tensionof the fuel droplets to increase vaporization thereof, and physicalcontact of the mixture with heat exchange structure during fuelvaporization plus the effect of thefield causes the wate vapor of themixture to be drawn out of the mixture onto those elementswhich arepositively charged. The positively charged elements areself-electrified, without the use of an outside power source, byconstructing each from two separate materials in the triboelectricseries and placing the same in intimate contact with one another. Duringpassage of the mixture through the chamber, condensate which is drawnout of the mixture is caused to drain through the chamber in a course oftravel separate from that of yet to be vaporized fuel droplets wherebythe condensate is prevented from recombining with such droplets.

18 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures rims ELM? M2 /20 v36 PATENT!!!) APR 2 3 m4SHEET 1 0F 4 PATENTEUAPR 23 1974 3805492 SHEET 2 BF 4 ,PATENTEDAPRZB\974 I 13,805492 SHEET u [If 4 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATINGCARBURETED MIXTURES CROSS REFERENCES This is a continuation-in-part ofmy copending application by the same title, Ser. No. 248,699, filed Apr.28, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,761,062.

This invention relates to the field of environmental pollution controland has as an important object to provide a method and apparatus fortreating a mixture of air, water vapor and droplets of volatile fuelimmediately before the mixture enters the intake manifold of an internalcombustion engine in a manner to assure more complete combustion of thefuel to thereby eliminate or substantially reduce polluting emissions inthe exhaust of the engine.

More particularly, an important object of the present invention is toprovide a treater which subjects the mixture issuing from the carburetorto an electrostatic field which induces the fuel droplets to relax theirsurface tension and thereby more fully vaporize before entering thecombustion chambers of the engine.

Another important object of the instant invention is to improve upon theteachings of my earlier application by providing a treater wherein atleast certain of the electric charge-carrying elements thereof arecapable of self-electrification, through implementation of thetriboelectric phenomenon, whereby to eliminate the need for an outside,electrifying power source for such elements.

i A further important object of this invention is to provide a treatingmethod and apparatus wherein water vapor, which is continuously drawnout of the mixture in the form of condensate as themixture travelsthrough the treater, is prevented from recombining with yet to bevaporized fuel droplets moving through the treating region whereby topromote such vaporization of the droplets.

An additional important object of this invention is the provision ofatreater which is fully capable of carrying out the foregoing objectsyet is of non-complex construction whereby to provide simplified andexpeditious assembly and installation thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view of a treaterconstructed in accordance with the present invention and coupled at itsinlet and outlet respectively with a carburetor and engine intakemanifold;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, horizontal cross-sectional view of the treatertaken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1of a second treater embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, horizontal cross-sectional view taken alongline 4-4' of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view of a thirdtreater embodying the principles of my inventron;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, horizontal cross-sectional view thereof takenalong line 6-6 of FIG. 5 with the uppermost charge plate broken away;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical crosssectional view of onelower interior corner ofthe treater;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view of a fourthtreater embodying the principles of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, horizontal cross-sectional view thereof takenalong line 9-9 of FIG. 8 with the uppermost charge plate broken away;and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical crosssectional view of theFIG. 8 treater similar to FIG. 7.

THE TREATERS OF FIGS. 1-4

Treater 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 has an inlet pipe 12 coupled with a conduit14 for receiving a combustible mixture from carburetor l6, and an outletpipe 18 coupled with the intake manifold 20 of an internal combustionengine (not shown). An insulated insert or disc 22 (FIG. 2) clampedbetween inlet pipe 12 and conduit 14 has an opening 24 of smallerdiameter than a corresponding opening 26 in' an insulating gasket 28(FIG. 1), clamped between outlet pipe 18 and intake manifold 20 tocreate reduced pressure within treater 10 and manifold 20 duringoperation as will hereinafter be described in detail.

The treating chambr of treater 10 is defined primarily by a continuouselectrode wall 30 which is joined tangentially by the inlet pipe 12 asshown in FIG. 2. A hemispherical cap 32 is clamped to wall 30 in anairtight manner using a gasket 34, while a hemispherical basin 36 closesthe opposite end of wall 30 in a similar fashion using a gasket 38.Preferably, wall 30, cap 32 and basin 36 are of aluminum or any othersuitable metal having high-heat exchange properties.

A mass 40 of epoxy or the like is bonded to the interior surface of cap32 and carries an insulating and supporting'cylinder 42 embeddedtherewith, the cylinder 42, in turn, suspending a metal tubularelectrode 44 concentrically within wall 30 in spaced relationship to thelatter to define an annular region 45 therebetween. A metal tube 46 ofsmaller diameter than electrode 44 is supported coaxially Within thelatter and in spaced relationship thereto by a second insulating andsupporting cylinder 48, the cylinder 48, in turn, being mounted on theoutlet pipe 18 which projects upwardly through the fioor 36a of basin36. Electrode 44 thus effectively houses tube 46 and cooperates with thelatter to define an annular flow passage 49 communicating with region 45through the entrance 44a at the lower end of electrode 44 and withoutlet pipe 18 through the open upper end 46a of tube 46. Entrance 44ais spaced above the floor 360 longitudinally of tube 46 as shown.

A continuous helical heat exchange vane 50 fixed to the inner surface ofwall 30 encircles electrode 44 in spaced relationship thereto withinregion 45 and leads generally from inlet pipe 12 toward basin 36 in acounterclockwise direction viewing FIG. 2. Electrode'44 and wall 30serve as inner and outer electrodes respectively for creating anelectrostatic field within region 45 and are adapted for connection byleads 52 and- 54 across a source of electrical potential. Preferably, apositive charge is imparted to wall 30 and a negative charge toelectrode 44, although such allocation of polarities is not aprerequisite to proper functioning of treater 10. A lead 56, coupledwith tube 46, serves for creating a charge thereon opposite in polarityto that on electrode 44 to establish a second electrostatic treatingfield which is located within passage 49.

In operation, carburetor 16 provides an explosive airfuel mixture forintake manifold 20 by spraying the liquid fuel, such as a hydrocarbon,into the stream of ambient air drawn into carburetor 16 by operation ofthe engine. in most instances the fuel is not completely vaporized uponcontacting the inrushing air, and instead, forms droplets which areentrained in the air and carried therewith to treater 10 without beingthoroughly vaporized for combustion purposes. Moreover, depending uponenvironmental conditions, moisture is drawn into carburetor 16 in theform of water vapor along with the ambient air such that the mixtureentering treater 10 through inlet pipe 12 actually consists of air,water vapor, and droplets of fuel.

As the mixture enters the treating chamber, it is swirled in acounterclockwise direction by vane 50 through the electrostatic field inregion 45. Vane 50 progressively guides the mixture toward the lower endof the treater 10 and through the electrostatic field, during which timethe mixture is treated in a number of respects. First, it is believedthat exposure to the electrostatic field in region 45 relaxes thesurface tension of the fuel droplets and thereby encourages the dropletsto vaporize completely and thoroughly mix with the air to provide ahighly combustible product. Such relaxation of surface tension isbelieved to occur from a combination of phenomena including thealignment with electrodes 30 and 44 of water dipoles which cluster abouthydrocarbon molecules within each droplet and the creation of an induceddipole condition within each carbon atom. By exposing the water dipolesto the opposite charges, they lose their affinity for the hydrocarbonmolecules, hence relaxing surface tension of the fuel droplets.

In contrast to vaporization of fuel droplets, water is simultaneouslycondensed from the mixture during its journey through region 45 and issubsequently separated from fuel vapor and air. This is made possible bythe fact that water has a greater surface tension than the hydrocarbonfuel droplets. Therefore, an electrostatic field may be provided whichis high enough in intensity to break up fuel droplets, yet not preventwater droplet formation. Because of the heat absorbed by the fueldroplets during vaporization thereof, vane 50 and wall electrode 30 arecooled which, upon their contact with water vapor in the mixture, causesthe water vapor to condense and be forced to the outer extremity of themixture as it is swirled by vane 50 through region 45.

The condensation is also drawn outwardly during swirling by theattraction of the water dipoles for the positively charged wallelectrode 30, and this outward migration initiates separation of thecondensation from air and fuel vapor.

After passing through region 45, condensation and air plus fuel vaporenter the area of basin 36, whereupon the heavy condensation iscollected and retained against further movement with the air and fuelvapor. However, the air and fuel vapor continue to be drawn by operationof the engine and enter entrance 44a for flow through passage 49, duringwhich time the air and fuel vapor are subjected to the effects of thesecond electrostatic field. This second field serves to promote furthervaporization of any fuel droplets not previously reduced to theirsmallest size during passage through the initial field in region 45.After completing its passage through the second field, the air and fuelvapor is drawn into the open end 46a of tube 46 and thence out oftreater 10 through outlet pipe 18 into manifold 20.

it is important to note that because of the constricted size of opening24 in disc 22 as compared with opening 26 in gasket 28, the pressurethroughout the interior of treater l and manifold 20 is reduced belowthat existing in conduit 14. This has the beneficial effect of reducingthe external pressure exerted on each individual fuel droplet enteringtreater such that expansion thereof is promoted to increase the rate ofvaporization thereof. This, coupled with the surface tension relaxingaction of the electrostatic field in treater 10, assures that anextremely high percentage of the fuel droplets are completely vaporized,hence causing complete combustion when the air and fuel vapor reach thecombustion chambers of the engine. Tests have proven that by usingtreater l0, emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogenoxides may be very drastically reduced below levels existing without useof treater 10.

It is also important that the charge imparted to electrodes 30 and 44and tube 46 be commensurate with the type of fuel being treated. Forexample, in treating gasoline, it has been found that a suitable fieldmay be produced without a potential of a magnitude which would causecorona between the uninsulated electrode components. However, whereheavier oils are to be treated, it may be necessary to increase thepotential to such an extent that corona would normally be produced. inthis instance, the electrode 44 and tube 46 may, for example, be coatedwith a suitable insulation material without detracting from theeffectiveness of the treater.

A drainage line 58, coupled with basin 36, serves to drain the latter ofcollected condensation, and a reservoir 60 may be provided at theopposite end of line 58 for the drained condensation. A conventionalfilter (not shown) may be associated with reservoir 60 for separatingwater condensation from any fuel that may have been condensed, whereuponthe separated fuel may be returned to carburetor 16 for mixture with theinrushing air.

FIGS. 3 and 4 relate to a second treater of modified construction buthaving many of the same basic principles of operation as treater l0.Treater 70 has a top plate 72 integral with a normally verticallyextending inlet pipe 74 which is clamped to carburetor 16 for receivingcombustible mixtures therefrom. Similar to the first embodiment, adisc-like, insulated insert 76 having a central opening 78, is clampedbetween carburetor l6 and inlet pipe 74.

The treating chamber of treater 70 is defined primarily by threesuperimposed, plastic or metal insulated rings 80 which are clampedbetween two plate 72 and a basin 82 forming the lower section of treater70. Three normally horizontally extending, vertically spaced-apartelectrode plates 84 are sandwiched between rings 80, each plate 84 beingprovided with a central opening 86. Three additional verticallyspacedapart, horizontally extending electrode plates 88 are alternatelydisposed between the three electrodes 84 and are supported bycircumferentially spaced, insulated mounting blocks 90, each electrode88 having an outermost peripheral edge 92 spaced from rings 80 topresent an annular passage to the next adjacent plate 84.

An upstanding out-let pipe or tube 94 projects through the floor 82a ofbasin 82 and has an uppermost end 96 spaced substantially above floor82a. A baffle 95 is supported by three additional mounting blocks 97 inoverlying, protective relationship to tube end 96, and pipe 94 isclamped to intake manifold with a gasket 98 therebetween having anopening 100 larger than opening 78 in disc 76. .A drainage line 102 andreservoir 104 are coupled to basin 82 for functioning in a mannersimilar to that of line 58 and reservoir 60 of treater 10.

Electrode sets 84.and 88 are adapted for connection via lines 106 and108 respectively, across sources of electrical potential to establishcharges of opposite polarity on adjacent electrodes 84 and 88.Preferably, electrodes 84 have a negative charge imparted thereto, whileelectrodes 88 have a positive charge imparted thereto, although it is tobe understood that the polarity of such charges may be reversed withouteffecting the operation of treater 70. Moreover, the uppermost electrodepair 88 and 86 may be charged, for example, positively and negativelyrespectively, while the next pair may be reversely charged negativelyand positively, the remaining pair then being reversely chargedpositively and negatively. By placing opposing charges on adjacentelectrodes 84 and 88, an electrostatic field is established in theregion existing therebetween which functions in a manner identical tothe fields created within treater 10. As mentioned with regard totreater 10, one electrode of each adjacent pair may be provided with aninsulating coating if required because of the nature of the fuel beingtreated.

As a mixture of air, water vapor and fuel droplets (which may be ahydrocarbon fuel) is drawn into treater 70 from carburetor 16, themixture is forced to follow a tortuous course successively around theedges 92 of electrodes 88 and through openings 86 in elec trodes 84forreceiving the effects of the successive electrostatic fields. Suchfields break up the hydrocarbon droplets by reducingthe surface tensionthereof and, moreover, breakup is promoted by a shock wave effectcreated by the tortuous movement of the droplets. As vaporization of thedroplets thus occurs, electrodes 84 and 88 become cooled, whereupon thewater vapor in the mixture is condensed and gravitates toward basin 82for collection therein. Because of the strategic location of baffle 95relative to the-upper end 96 ,of outlet pipe 94, water condensationflowing over the edge of baffle 88 is diverted away from open end 96into basin 82. However, the air, and fuel vapor are earlier described.Moreover, water vapor is still drawn out of the mixture during itstravel so that vaporization of the fuel droplets can occur at a muchgreater rate than would otherwise be the case.

However, the treater l 10 differs from treaters l0 and in that treater110 requires no outside power source once it has been installed on anautomobile engine, the latter normally carrying a negative charge.Moreover, the treater 110 differs from those previously described inthat the water vapor which is drawn out of the mixture during treatingthereof is maintained separate and apart from the yet to be vaporizedfuel droplets moving through treater 110 so that such vaporization ofthe latter is not inhibited by the condensate formed from the withdrawnwater vapor. By directing the condensate away from the yet to bevaporized fuel droplets as early as possible in the treating procedure,the condensate is prevented from reforming or recombining with the fueldroplets which would substantially impair their ability to vaporize. Ithas been found that the need for maintaining the condensate separatedfrom the fuel droplets is substantially greater than the need formaintaining the condensate separated from the gas or vapors of fuelbecause once gasified or vaporized, the fuel does not appreciablyrecombine with the condensate.

Turning to the specific construction of the treater I 10, an open-topcontainer 1 12 of generally cylindrical configuration has a circular,normally upright, continuous sidewall 114 and a bottom'wall 116 thatcooperate to define an inner treating chamber 118. An outlet 120 isprovided in bottom wall 116 centrally of the latter, and an inlet 122 tochamber 118 is provided at the top of treater 110 within a cover 124that closes chamber 118. A continuous, outwardly projecting rim 126about the top margin of sidewall 114 provides a seat for cover 124 andan area within which a series of screws 128 may be located for clampingcover 124 against rim 126. A gasket 130 may be interposed between cover124 and rim 126.

The treater 110 is mounted in place by a series of screws 132 thatinterconnect a conduit 134 from the carburetor (not shown) and the cover124. Additionfree to enter pipe 94 for conveyance into intake manifold20 and subsequent combustion within the engine. Note that throughout thetreatment process, reduced pressure is provided within treater 70 byvirtue of the small size of disc opening 78 compared to disc opening 100and the drawing action of the operating engine. This promoteshydrocarbon droplet vaporization as described with regard to treater 10.

THE TREATERS OF FIGS. 5-10 ally, a series of flat-head screws 136through the bottom wall 116 are threaded into the intake manifold 138.Preferably, a gasket 140 is clamped between conduit 134 and cover 124,and similarly, a gasket 142 is preferably clamped between the bottomwall 116 and intake manifold 138.

Loosely stacked within chamber 118 is a vertical series of generallyhorizontally extending, electric charge-carrying plate elements 144 and146, the plates 146 being larger in diameter than the plates 144 andbeing alternately dispersed therebetween. The smaller diameter plates144 are provided with three supporting and insulating blocks 148 abouttheir outer peripheries that serve to space such peripheries inwardlyfrom sidewall 114, and also serve to support the plates 144 invertically spaced relationship from the adjacent plates 146 above andbelow the same. Preferably, for reasons which will hereinafter be madeclear, the blocks 148 are constructed from tetrafluorethylene resin,sold under the trademark TEFLON, by E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc.of Wilmington, Del. Through the use of such blocks 148, the-plates 144and 146 may simply be stacked within chamber 118 as earlier mentioned,there being no supporting ledges or the like for the plates 144 and 146.Once the lowermost plate 144 is within chamber 118; therefore, all ofthe plates 146 in the series are maintained in electrical contact withthe container 112 which itself carries a negative charge impartedthereto from the engine which is normally connected to the negative sideof the battery in an automobile.

Each of the larger lates 146 is bare but, as shown most clearly in FIG.7, each of the smaller plates 144 is of composite construction having analuminum base 150 and an outer jacket 152 ofa suitable insulativematerial such as tetrafluoroethylene resin. The significance of thisconstruction for the plates 144 is substantial because, by virtuethereof, the plates 144 are selfelectrifying in nature, which eliminatesthe need for the use of an outside power source to electrify the plates144.

Specifically, such self-electrification is obtained by virtue of thefact that the aluminum base 150 and its outer jacket 152 oftetrafluoroethylene resin are intimately contacting one another and aredisposed in different positions in the triboelectric series ofmaterials. This series is derived from the scientific phenomenon thatcertain materials occupying different positions in the series willelectrify one another when rubbed against each other or when placed inintimate contact with one another. Thus, for example, when a glass rodis rubbed with silk, the rod takes on a positive charge while the silkcloth takes on a negative charge as electrons travel from the rod to thecloth. Other materials in the series include, but are not limited to,asbestos, mica, wool, cats fur, cotton, sealing wax, hard rubber andsulfur. Generally speaking, those materials which occupy a higherposition in the list than others take on a positive charge whenintimately contacted with the lower position materials, while the lattertake on a negative charge.

In addition to the above recited materials it has been found that metaland plastics of various kinds also behave in accordance with the theoryof triboelectrics when such materials are brought into intimate contact.Tetrafluoroethylene resin is thought to be higher in the series thanaluminum metal and, therefore, the outer surface of the jacket 152 oneach plate 144 carries a positive charge so that each plate 144effectively becomes an electrode for treating the mixture as it passesthrough treater 110. It is to be noted that the use oftetrafluoroethylene resin for blocks 148 retains the integrity of thepositive charge on the jackets 152 inasmuch as a triboelectric effect isalso obtained by contact between the blocks 148 and sidewall 114, aswell as between blocks 148 and the plates 146.

The potential difference between the jacket 152 and base 150 of eachplate 144 can range from a tiny fraction of a volt to several volts butis most likely to be relatively small. However, surprisingly, it hasbeen ound that such potential difference is great enough to have anappreciable effect upon the mixture of fuel droplets, air and watervapor as the mixture moves through the treating chamber 118. Although itwas originally thought necessary to provide substantial charges onelectrodes that treat the mixture, such as in treaters 10 and 70, it hasnow been discovered that such is not necessarily the caseand that therelatively small charges carried by plates 144 and 146 of treater aresufficient to promote vaporization of the fuel droplets and draw thewater vapor out of the mixture. Hence, the same highly desirable resultis obtained with significantly less charge and with a substantiallysimplified construction.

In addition to the electrical distinctions between treater 110 andtreaters 10, 70, structural changes are presented in treater 110 thatconcern the management of the water vapor as it is withdrawn from themixture. To this end, all of the plates 144 and 146 are coned upwardlypresenting a convex upper surface to the substances passing throughchamber 118. Further, each of the large diameter plates 146 is providedwith a relatively large aperture 154 located at the apex thereof invertical registration with the inlet 122 and outlet 120. A plurality ofdrain notches 156 are formed in each large plate 146 about the peripherythereof and are preferably disposed in vertical registration with oneanother. The bottom wall 116 is also coned upwardly to the same extentas plates 144 and 146, thus presenting a condensate collecting zone- 158at the junction of sidewall 114 and bottom wall 116. A suitable drainhose 160 may be connected to the bottom wall 116 for drawing offcollected condensate if such is desired.

When the mixture enters inlet 122 it is immediately divided by theuppermost plate 144 and directed into at least two major serpentinepaths of travel as indicated by the arrows at inlet 122. The mixturespreads over the top surface of the uppermost plate 144, passes aroundthe outermost periphery 144a thereof toward the next plate 146therebelow, and then is drawn back toward the center of chamber 118 forpassage between the proximal pair of plates 144 and 146. The mixturethen passes downwardly through the aperture 154 of plate 146 whereuponit spreads outwardly once again toward the next periphery 144a along thetop surface of the corresponding plate 144. This tortuous travelcontinues until the remaining mixture, including the vaporized fuel andair, exits chamber 118 through outlet 120 into the manifold 138. Asillustrated, the mixture actually flows in a pair of side-by-sideserpentine paths of travel through the chamber 118 as each branch of theflowing mixture moves along one-half of the top surface of a plate 144,around the periphery 144a, back up one-half of the next plate 146therebelow, and then downwardly to the next plate 144 through aperture154.

During the time that the fuel droplets are being vaporized, the watervapor is being drawn out of the mixture onto the top surfaces of plates144. While some amount of moisture forms on the bare plates 146, themajority of the moisture forms on the plates 144 because of theirpositive charges which attract the dominantly negative water dipolesthat are clustered about the fuel droplets. Some of the moisture whichforms is, of course, due to condensation of the water vapor as a resultof the absorption of heat by the fuel droplets during theirvaporization.

The moisture or condensate thus forming on the plates 144 gravitatestoward the peripheries 144a thereof and then drains therefrom onto thenext plate 146 therebelow, whereupon the condensate is directeddownwardly to the collecting zone 158 through the drain notches 156.Hence, the condensate withdrawn during vaporization of the fuel dropletsis immediately directed away from the effective treating area of theremaining fuel droplets to prevent any impairment of vaporization of thelatter. It will be appreciated that while the vaporized fuel andremaining mixture can flow uphill between the plates 144 and 146 towardthe apertures 154, the condensate cannot follow this course and instead,must gravitate downwardly toward zone 158. Therefore, the fuel that isstill in droplet form is effectively separated from condensate that haspreviously been withdrawn from the mixture throughout the treatingprocess, hence significantly promoting vaporization of the remainingdroplets. It will be seen that the course of travel for the streams ofcondensate flowing through notches 156 is disposed at the periphery ofthe two serpentine paths of travel which the mixture is forced tofollow.

As earlier mentioned, it has now been found that so long as thecondensate is maintained separated from the yet to be vaporized fueldroplets as they move through the treating chamber 1 18, the condensatemay be introduced intothe intake manifold 138 through outlet 120 inlimited amounts without substantially adversely affecting the efficiencyof combustion. Once gasified or vaporized, the fuel does not readilyaccept recombination with the condensate and hence, strict control ofthe condensate at outlet 120 is not critical. It is important, however,that large rushes of condensate be prevented from entering the intakemanifold 138 along with the fuel vapor because such rushes would smotherthe combustion attempting to take place in the combustion chamber of theengine. Therefore, while the use of the drain hose 160 is not absolutelyessential, it is desirable in those instances where the condensate wouldotherwise rush directly into the manifold 138. I

FIGS. 8-10 show another form of treater denoted generally by the numeral162 which is identical in many respects to treater 110, particularly theselfelectrification aspects thereof. The container 164 is similar tocontainer 112, having a sidewall 166 and a bottom wall 168 that is coneddownwardly rather than upwardly. A chamber 170 is defined withincontainer 164 and has an inlet 172 in a cover'174 and an outlet 176 inbottom wall 168 that leadsto the intake manifold 178. A conduit 180leads to the carburetor (not shown) as before. The usual gaskets andmounting screws are also provided and need not be further described.

As stated above, the electrification aspects of treater 162 areprecisely the same as treater 110, there being a vertical series ofgenerally horizontally extending plates 182 and 184 stacked withinchamber 170, the larger diameter plates 184 being alternatelyinterspersed between the smaller diameter plates 182 and electricallycontacting the sidewall 166. The plates 182 have an aluminum base 186and an outer jacket 188 of tetrafluoroethylene resin and are carried byinsulating and supporting blocks 190 of tetrafluoroethylene resin. Asbefore, the plates 182 thus carry a positive charge, while the plates184 carry a negative charge to treat the mixture as it flows throughchamber 170 from inlet 172 toward outlet 176.

The major distinction between treater 162 and treater l is themanipulation of the water condensate in treater 162 as compared totreater 110. In treater 162 the plates 182 and 184 are coned downwardlyso as to present concave upper surfaces. The plates 182 have small drainholes 192 therein at their apexes in vertical registration with theinlet 172 and outlet 176.

Additionally, the plates 184 have relatively large apertures 194 attheir apexes also disposed in vertical registration with inlet 172 andoutlet 176.

Accordingly, as the mixture weaves its way between the plates 182 and184 the condensate which is drawn out of the mixture gravitates to thecenter of the plates 182 and attempts to exit through the drain holes192 thereof. Preferably, the drain holes 192 are of such diameter thatthe condensate is caused to stand in a pool across each hole 192 so thatthe condensate gravitates from holes 192 in drops rather than in steadystreams. It is important, however, that the entire upper surface of theplates 182 not be covered by standing condensate inasmuch as this wouldreduce the ability of the positively charged plates 182 to treat theflowing mixture.

The drops of condensate emanating from the holes 192 pass through theaperture 194 in the next plate 184 therebelow and fall into the existingpool on the next plate 182. Such continues until the drops leave chamber170 through either outlet 176 into manifold 178, or through drain hose196 stationed below the hole 192 in the lowermost plate 182.

If the holes 192 are sufficiently small that they produce only periodicdrops of condensate, it has been found that there is little need for thedrain hose 196 because the gasified fuel 'does not recombine with thecondensate at this late point. However, if the holes 192 are incapableof limiting the condensate to only periodic drops and instead introduceperiodic rushes or steady streams of .condensate, then the drain hose196 should be utilized so as to prevent the condensate from smotheringthe explosion in the combustion chamber.

As in treater 110, the mixture is divided into two major serpentinepaths of travel as it enters chamber 170 through inlet 172. Each branchof the flowing mixture moves across the top surfaces of the plates 182,around their peripheries 182a, and then along the top surfaces of theplates 184 for movement downwardly through apertures 194 tothe nextplate 182 therebelow.

In contrast, the condensate moves in a linear path of travel centrallyof chamber 170, through holes 192 and apertures 194. Thus, thecondensate course of travel is disposed between the two separateserpentine paths of travel of the mixture.

Both of the treaters and 162 are equally effective in promotingvaporization of the fuel droplets in order to maximize combustionefficiency. In many instances, however, the treater 110 is to bepreferred because of the ease with which condensate can be collected inzone 158 and removed therefrom. Both of the treaters 110 and 162 providehighly non-complex, yet effective means of treating the fuel to totallyvaporize or gasify the same, and both can be very quickly assembled andinstalled. It will be appreciated that the elimination of an outsidepower source for electrifying the positive charge carrying element ineach instance is a significant advantage obtainable with the treaters110 and 162. Moreover, the ability of such treaters to maintain thecondensate totally separated from yet to be vaporized fuel during thetreating process greatly enhances the ability of such fuel to becompletely vaporized.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with means for supplying a mixture of air, water vaporand droplets of volatile fuel, a mixture treater comprising:

means defining a treating chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet;and

at least one pair of spaced-apart, electric chargecarrying elementslocated within said chamber for receiving said mixture therebetween asthe mixture flows from said inlet toward said outlet,

one of said elements carrying a charge of one polarity and the othercarrying a charge of the opposite polarity whereby to promotevaporization of said fuel droplets by relaxing the surface tensionthereof and by drawing said water vapor out of the mixture as the latterpasses through said chamber,

said one element having a base member constructed of material located atone position in the triboelectric series and an outer jacket on saidmember in intimate contact therewith constructed of a substance locatedat a second position in the triboelectric series whereby said oneelement is electrified without the use of an outside power source.

2. In a treater as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one element ispositively charged and said other element is negatively charged;

3. In a treater as claimed in claim 1, wherein said material is metal,said substance being tetrafluoroethylene resin.

4. In a treater as claimed in claim 3, wherein said metal is aluminum.

5. In a treater as claimed in claim 1, wherein said chamber-definingmeans includes electrically'conductive wall structure, each said otherelement being in electrical contact with said structure, and each saidone element being electrically insulated from said structure.

6. In a treater as claimed in claim 5, wherein said elements are stackedwithin said chamber in an upright series, there being insulating andsupporting blocks between the elements.

7. In a treater as claimed in laim 1, wherein said elements are providedwith means for causing condensate formed during the treating process todrain through the chamber in a separate course of travel from fueldroplets yet to be vaporized.

8. In a treater as claimed in claim 7, wherein said elements areplate-like and disposed horizontally in an upright series, said elementshaving convex upper surfaces for gravitation of condensate toward theouter peripheries thereof.

9. In a treater as claimed in claim 8, wherein each said other elementhas a drain at its periphery for condensate from the said one elementthereabove and has an aperture for the remainder of the mixture andvaporized fuel spaced inwardly and upwardly from said drain.

10. In a treater as claimed in claim 9, wherein each said one elementhas its periphery spaced inwardly from said chamber-defining means forpassing condensate, fuel vapor, and the remainder of the mixture to thenext said other element therebelow.

11. In a treater as claimed in claim 7, wherein said elements areplate-like and disposed horizontally in an upright series, said elementshaving concave upper surfaces for gravitation of condensate inwardly ofthe elements away from the outer peripheries thereof.

12. In a treater as claimed in claim 11, wherein each said one elementis provided with means at its periphery allowing passage of fuel vaporand the remaining mixture downwardly to the next said other elementtherebelow, each said one element further having a condensate drainspaced inwardly and downwardly from its periphery.

13. In a treater as claimed in claim 12, wherein said drain is of such asize as to cause condensate to stand in a pool overlying the drain whilemoving therethrough.

14. In a treater as claimed in claim 12, wherein each said other elementis provided with an aperture spaced inwardly from its periphery formovement therethrough of condensate, fuel vapor, and the remainingmixture.

15. In a method of electrically treating a mixture of air, water vapor,and droplets of a volatile fuel to promote vaporization of saiddroplets, the steps of:

moving said mixture in at least one serpentine path of travel betweenspaced-apart, electrically charged elements in a series thereof; I

drawing said water vapor out of the mixture onto at least certain ofsaid elements in the form of condensate while vaporizing the fueldroplets to produce a gas; and

maintaining said condensate separated from the yetto-be vaporized fueldroplets during passage between said elements whereby to preventrecombination of said condensate with the droplets.

16. In a method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said condensate iscaused to drain from the elements on which it has collected in a courseof travel separate from said serpentinelpath of the yet-to-be vaporizedfuel droplets.

17. In a method as claimed in claim 16, wherein said mixture is dividedinto a pair of adjacent serpentine paths for movement in oppositedirections between said elements, said drain course being disposed atthe periphery of said two paths.

18. In a method as claimed in claim 16, wherein said mixture is dividedinto a pair of adjacent serpentine paths for movement in oppositedirections between said elements, said drain course being disposedbetween said two paths extending longitudinally thereof.

2. In a treater as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one element ispositively charged and said other element is negatively charged.
 3. In atreater as claimed in claim 1, wherein said material is metal, saidsubstance being tetrafluoroethylene resin.
 4. In a treater as claimed inclaim 3, wherein said metal is aluminum.
 5. In a treater as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said chamber-defining means includes electricallyconductive wall structure, each said other element being in electricalcontact with said structure, and each said one element beingelectrically insulated from said structure.
 6. In a treater as claimedin claim 5, wherein said elements are stacked within said chamber in anupright series, there being insulating and supporting blocks between theelements.
 7. In a treater as claimed in laim 1, wherein said elementsare provided with means for causing condensate formed during thetreating process to drain through the chamber in a separate course oftravel from fuel droplets yet to be vaporized.
 8. In a treater asclaimed in claim 7, wherein said elements are plate-like and disposedhorizontally in an upright series, said elements having convex uppersurfaces for gravitation of condensate toward the outer peripheriesthereof.
 9. In a treater as claimed in claim 8, wherein each said otherelement has a drain at its periphery for condensate from the said oneelement thereabove and has an aperture for the remainder of the mixtureand vaporized fuel spaced inwardly and upwardly from said drain.
 10. Ina treater as claimed in claim 9, wherein each said one element has itsperiphery spaced inwardly from said chamber-defining means for passingcondensate, fuel vapor, and the remainder of the mixture to the nextsaid other element therebelow.
 11. In a treater as claimed in claim 7,wherein said elements are plate-like and disposed horizontally in anupright series, said elements having concave upper surfaces forgravitation of condensate inwardly of the elements away from the outerperipheries thereof.
 12. In a treater as claimed in claim 11, whereineach said one element is provided with means at its periphery allowingpassage of fuel vapor and the remaining mixture downwardly to the nextsaid other element therebelow, each said one element further having acondensate drain spaced inwardly and downwardly from its periphery. 13.In a treater as claimed in claim 12, wherein said drain is of such asize as to cause condensate to stand in a pool overlying the drain whilemoving therethrough.
 14. In a treater as claimed in claim 12, whereineach said other element is provided with an aperture spaced inwardlyfrom its periphery for movement therethrough of condensate, fuel vapor,and the remaining mixture.
 15. In a method of electrically treating amixture of air, water vapor, and droplets of a volatile fuel to promotevaporization of said droplets, the steps of: moving said mixture in atleast one serpentine path of travel between spaced-apart, electricallycharged elements in a series thereof; drawing said water vapor out ofthe mixture onto at least certain of said elements in the form ofcondensate while vaporizing the fuel droplets to produce a gas; andmaintaining said condensate separated from the yet-to-be vaporized fueldroplets during passage between said elements whereby to preventrecombination of said condensate with the droplets.
 16. In a method asclaimed in claim 15, wherein said condensate is caused to drain from theelements on which it has collected in a course of travel separate fromsaid serpentine path of the yet-to-be vaporized fuel droplets.
 17. In amethod as claimed in claim 16, wherein said mixture is divided into apair of adjacent serpentine paths for movement in opposite directionsbetween said elements, said drain course being disposed at the peripheryof said two paths.
 18. In a method as claimed in claim 16, wherein saidmixture is divided into a pair of adjacent serpentine paths for movementin opposite directions between said elements, said drain course beingdisposed between said two paths extending longitudinally thereof.